MOTORISTS are being warned to avoid a busy road or face long delays during the foot and mouth crisis because a farmer is having to disinfect the carriageway several times a day in order to move his cattle.

Dairy farmer David Davies, of Hatches Farm, Great Kingshill, needs to take his 150 Friesian cows from their sheds to open pasture across Hatches Lane up to four times a day for grazing and milking.

The 65-year-old, whose farm produces 4,000 litres of milk every week, is worried that waiting motorists could lose their rag while farm hands disinfect the road before and after each crossing.

He said: "Hatches Lane is quite a commuter rat run. I can imagine somebody getting very cross when we've been there five to ten minutes cleaning up the road.

"We've had people get out of their cars saying 'I'm in a hurry'. But if we get inspectors down and cars cross before disinfectant is down somebody will be in trouble.

"It's got to be done but we are warning that we don't want people rushing. Motorists in the morning could take an alternative route."

Because of the foot and mouth crisis farmers must disinfect roads and highways before and after any livestock is allowed to cross.

The aim of the process is to wipe out the threat of the virus being picked up on car tyres and spread to other areas. To date no cases have been confirmed in Bucks.

Mr Davies, a farmer for more than 40 years, has to stop any on-coming traffic before laying freshly disinfected straw across Hatches Lane.

The whole process can take as long as 20 minutes and Mr Davies is considering putting up special signs to warn road users about possible hold-ups.

He is expecting to see some tailbacks especially during the evening rush-hour and added: "In the past we've had up to ten to 20 cars waiting for us. We just want the general public to be patient and understanding during this."

Richard Burton, a spokesman for Buckinghamshire County Council, the authority in charge of the county's roads and highways, backed Mr Davies' comments.

He said: "Farmers are in a very difficult predicament at the moment and we appreciate the consideration of the general public during the movement of animals.

"Members of the public have to take into account that it will take longer than usual to move farm animals from one location to another."